5:50 p.m. In response to the rapidly expanding Jesusita fire, Direct Relief has furnished N95 particulate respirators at the request of local emergency response for use by responders to the Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara County. Watch a video about our response.

The request for protective masks was made to Direct Relief Emergency Response Coordinator Brett Williams, who was meeting at the Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations Center as sundowner winds fanned the flames, forcing more evacuations.

Direct Relief has a formal agreement with the County of Santa Barbara to assist in public emergencies, and Williams participates in meetings and drills routinely to ensure smooth coordination in the event of an emergency. The current situation is being described as an “extreme fire emergency.”